Crabs and lobsters now recognised as sentient beings
The government has this afternoon announced that lobsters, crabs, and octupus, are to be covered in its definition of a sentient being.
- Decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs will now be recognised under the scope of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. The move follows scientific research by the London School of Ecnomics.
- The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill already recognises all animals with a backbone (vertebrates) as sentient beings. However, unlike some other invertebrates (animals without a backbone ), decapod crustaceans and cephalopods are regarded as having complex central nervous systems, one of the key hallmarks of sentience.
The Bill, when it becomes law, will establish an Animal Sentience Committee made up of experts. The Committee will be able to issue reports on how well government decisions have taken account of the welfare of sentient animals with Ministers needing to respond to Parliament.
Today’s announcement will not though affect any existing legislation or industry practices such as fishing. There will also be no direct impact on the shellfish catching or on the restaurant industry. Instead, the change is designed to ensure animal welfare is well considered in future decision-making.
Commening on the change, Animal Welfare Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith said, “The Animal Welfare Sentience Bill provides a crucial assurance that animal wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws. The science is now clear that crustaceans and molluscs can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation”.
In response to the move, the Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy commented on Twitter, “Pretty much the whole point of wanting lobster  sentience recognised was to stop them being boiled alive, was it not?”. McCarthy is one of Parliament’s few vegan MPs and a long standing animal welfare campaigner.
